Author of case study: Marcela Torres Molano

Geopolitical location of space:
601 Tully St
Syracuse, NY

Extant? Yes

Architect:
Deanna Van Buren

Timeframe of RJ/TJ process in this space:

Start date: 2004; project officially opened in 2015
End date: ongoing

Background information:

A peace-building centre that uses a traditional Native American approach to justice, focuses on healing and community restoration rather than punishment.

Participation in the peacemaking program is voluntary. In cases that involve victims, the prosecutor is responsible for explaining the process to the victim and obtaining their consent. Prior to the sessions, the NWSPP staff meets with the defendant and the victim if desired, to explain the peacemaking process.

Is restorative justice actually taking place in this space?

Yes, The NWSPP takes referrals from the police, courts, and schools to address numerous crimes and conflicts, including disputes between neighbours, landlords & tenants, and families.

The meetings are facilitated by community members trained peacemakers to allow the affected parts to communicate and reach agreement about restitution and/or repair. With the court referred cases, the agreement is put on a legal record.

Is this space designed/arranged for safe listening?

Yes, the centre is designed for safe listening for both individual and group sessions, moreover the NWPP service is free and confidential.

Who is the audience/the intended participants for this space?

Victims, defendants, family members, friends, and others who were affected by the dispute. All participants have an opportunity to speak out about how the dispute affected them.

How or to what extent is this space public?

This is a private house that belongs to the NWSPP. The space is managed by the organisation to serve the community.

What are the politics of this space, either in terms of its location, design, spatial, or visual aspects?

The house was vandalized by some youth and as a consequence they have had to lock the doors, which were open before.

Physical/factual description of space:

The NWSPP is located in a two floor house. When the Center was designed, community input was included in every step of the process. There is a main meeting space located on the second floor; it includes a big empty space for group meetings, a seating area, a desk space and a small kitchen with a dining bar. This space benefits from good natural lighting and ventilation. It is predominantly white, with soft calming colours used for the furniture and decoration.

In the meeting space, participants generally sit in a circle, focusing on the center where symbolic objects can be placed to be a reminder of the shared values among those in the circle. A talking piece is used as a way to ensure respect. As usual, the talking piece is passed within the circle and only the person holding it can speak.

The centre has a community organized food garden, located within a four minute walking distance from the house.

From interview with team member:

“Originally, it was originally a family home that was no longer in use, and had been taken over by a school of education professor at Syracuse University, and that they had made it into a commercial space. So you’re no longer allowed to live there. The space has been turned over into a commercial space. So something so it can’t be used residentially but when you look at it from the outside, it is obviously a two story home.”

Analytical description of space:

The centre is located in a high crime neighbourhood in Syracuse, and during the first year of functioning, it provided help to over 75 residents in the Near Westside. Moreover, it was the first facility of its kind in the entire country.

The Syracuse Peacemaking Project addresses crimes and social disorder through restorative justice, community justice, and people power. It uses a peacemaking approach, a traditional Native American method, that focuses on healing and restoration instead of punishment.

The centre services such as RJ to solve community-based conflicts are free of charge. In addition, the centre organises place-based projects created and implemented by community members, such as the food garden.